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The Rochester Police Department says they're investigating "a possible uptick in drug overdose deaths" and fear two recent overdose deaths could be related.

According to the RPD, an 18-year-old male and a 22-year-old male, both from Rochester, died this week. The 18-year-old died, "after witnesses say he purchased and used a pill resembling oxycodone." The 22-year-old has a history of drug use. In both cases, it may take several weeks to find the cause of death.

However, rather than wait and then possibly make a warning, the Rochester Police are warning it can be incredibly dangerous to use drugs bought on the street because you just don't know what's in them or where they're from.

The pills are shaped and imprinted like oxycodone (RPD)
The pills are shaped and imprinted like oxycodone (RPD)
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In a drug bust last month, a bunch of pills were seized, and investigators are working to identify what's in them.

"The pills are shaped and imprinted like oxycodone, but may be fentanyl – a highly potent and often deadly drug – in disguise. Other drugs sold on the street, such as Xanax, can also contain fentanyl."

What If You Need Help?

I asked Captain Casey Moilanen, from the RPD Investigations Unit, "Can people reach out to the police department for help without getting into trouble?"

"A person in need of medical assistance related to a drug overdose can be immune from prosecution...My advice would be to call 911 right away if someone is in need of medical assistance." said Moilanen.

"A person in need of medical assistance related to a drug overdose can be immune from prosecution...."

For real? Yes...it's Minnesota law.

604A.05 GOOD SAMARITAN OVERDOSE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

Subd. 2.Person experiencing an overdose; immunity from prosecution.

A person who experiences a drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance may not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance under section 152.023, subdivision 2, clauses (4) and (6), 152.024, or 152.025, or possession of drug paraphernalia. A person qualifies for the immunities provided in this subdivision only if the evidence for the charge or prosecution was obtained as a result of the drug-related overdose and the need for medical assistance.

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

Listen to James Rabe Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11-Noon on KROC AM 1340 and 96.9 FM and Weekdays with Jessica Williams Weekday from 6 - 10 AM on Y-105 FM

if you know someone that needs this information, please find a way to get it to them. And no matter what substances is causing someone trouble, when they're trying to rebuild their life, it can be hard to get some of the most basic things handled so you can keep moving forward. Like finding work. Maybe, in some small way, this could help...

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